4 tips for recruiting and engaging virtual volunteers in 2021 and beyond
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by Eric Burger, marketing communications manager, VolunteerHub
Independent Sector reported that the value of a volunteer hour in 2021 is $28.54, and that figure continues to climb. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way organizations recruit, manage, and engage volunteers, and many nonprofits, just like yours, have transitioned to offering virtual volunteer opportunities for supporters.
Offering virtual volunteer opportunities allows your organization to utilize the skill-set of volunteers while eliminating or limiting face-to-face contact. Even if your nonprofit needs face-to-face volunteers to achieve its mission, now is still a great time to consider adding virtual volunteer opportunities for tasks such as administrative support, marketing, volunteer management and fundraising.
According to Forbes, virtual volunteerism shows no sign of slowing down, even after the pandemic has subsided. Creating a strategy for virtual volunteerism, now, will help your nonprofit prepare for the future and the changing expectations of volunteers. If your organization is investing in a virtual volunteerism strategy for 2021 and beyond, here are four strategic tips for recruiting and engaging remote volunteers.
Leverage technology
Having the right technology solutions in place is essential when deploying a virtual volunteerism strategy. How will your organization promote, recruit, register, train, communicate with and engage virtual volunteers? Is there a software solution that can make the process easier and more streamlined?
These are questions to consider when exploring technology to support your virtual volunteer initiatives. One technology solution that your organization may want to consider is volunteer management software. Volunteer management software can be used to recruit, manage, and engage virtual volunteers and data can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.
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Build resiliency into your nonprofit strategic planning
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Life is full of opportunities and challenges, and we certainly faced our share in 2020. However, not everything we’ve gone through in the last year is negative. There are some lessons learned we may want to keep — opportunities to capitalize on in the future. It is important to learn from each challenge so you can prepare, mitigate, and more easily turn the next challenge into an opportunity. That’s called resiliency. It sounds easy — but let’s be honest, it isn’t.
Resiliency is the ability to recover from a setback, adapt to new challenges, and keep going in the face of adversity. In a nonprofit, as a staff or volunteer leader, one of the best tools to foster resiliency no matter what is thrown at your organization — internally or externally— is a strategic plan, which:
- Provides a road map to lead your organization from where you are now to where you would like to be in the future;
- Sets priorities and focuses your organization’s resources; and
- Establishes measurable goals and a template to evaluate progress and adapt to a changing environment.
During a recent JGA webinar, I shared six tips to help you create a resilient organization by building resiliency into your strategic planning:
1. Prepare for the unexpected. Include learning sessions at the beginning of your strategic planning process to provide the knowledge you need to make your organization more resilient.
a. Acknowledge internal and external threats,
b. Consider different scenarios and plans,
c. Stay informed about trends, and
d. Identify lessons learned.
2. Concentrate on the customer experience: For nonprofits to be resilient, it is important to think about who your core “customers” are and who your potential “customers” might be as you think about implementing your mission and opportunities for growth.
a. Provide excellent customer service,
b. Help your customers (constituents, donors, etc.) make their lives easier,
c. And anticipate their needs.
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The International Center has named Abigail Leese as a relocation specialist. Leese currently works as a licensed realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
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The International Center has promoted Taina Lance to director of relocation services. Lance previously served as the organization’s relocation services coordinator.
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The Arts for Learning Indiana has named Anya Aslanova as president. Previously, Aslanova was the director of educational development at the Indianapolis Art Center. — Inside Indiana Business
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Christel House International has named Kate Hayward as a major gifts officer. Hayward formerly was the regional philanthropy and major gifts officer for the American Red Cross.
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Leadership Indianapolis, an organization that helps Hoosiers get involved as volunteer leaders, has pivoted its Get On Board program from a one-day event to a series of virtual workshops to connect organizations with potential volunteers. Read more
Edna Martin Christian Center has recently opened its second campus, the Leadership and Legacy Center. The $6.8 million, 25,000-square-foot facility at 2259 Ralston Ave. features a preschool, a high school, a dedicated space for seniors, an urban farm and a business incubator. Read more
Food in Transit, a farm stand presented by Growing Places Indy and IndyGo, has returned for its fourth year. The Food in Transit program provides locally grown produce, provided by Growing Places Indy, to transit riders. Read more
The Indianapolis Public Transportation Foundation has announced the recipients of its mobility access fund pilot's award grants. The grants provide more than $2 million in free or discounted rides each year to veterans, students, seniors, and people with disabilities. Read more
The Mind Trust has announced eight recipients of its talent innovation fund awards. The organization has invested $150,000 to assist recipients whose projects will help solve an education talent challenge in Indianapolis. Read more
Evergreen Leadership is taking nominations for its annual community builder award. Fifteen leaders will be selected to attend the Community Builder: Connect and Create Retreat from Aug. 27-28 at Oakwood Retreat Center near Muncie. Nominate
The Indianapolis Foundation has awarded grants and investments for not-for-profits, projects and initiatives in Marion County totaling nearly $1.7 million. The awards support the organization’s commitment to equity and opportunity. See recipients
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Find meaning in the data webinar on June 10 from 10 a.m.-noon. Learn to clean gathered data, analyze tables in Excel and develop and interpret clear, impactful charts. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: Free. Register
Diversify your donors: How to attract Hispanic donors webinar on June 10 at 2 p.m. Learn ways to connect with Latino supporters and build strong ties. Presented by Chronicles of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register
2020 Giving trends: A look at the Giving USA 2021 Annual Report on Philanthropy for 2020 webinar on June 16 at noon. Hosted by Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates. Cost: Free. Register
Make decisions with data webinar on June 24 from 10 a.m.-noon. Participants will learn how to use critical data skills for more effective decision-making. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: Free. Register
Philanthropy, nonprofits, and faith webinar on June 30 from 3-4:15 p.m. Nonprofit participants will learn how to best operate from their deepest values, and make meaningful connections with their stakeholders. Presented by Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. Cost: Free. Register
Frame the problem webinar on July 8 from 10 a.m.-noon. Before using data to inform decisions, it’s important to identify goals and determine how data can help in the process. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: Free. Register
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Volunteers are needed for a workday at Oliver's Woods on June 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Central Indiana Land Trust with trail maintenance and invasive species removal in beautifying the nature preserve along the White River. More
The Glow Up Projects needs volunteers for its Juneteenth Social on June 19. Individuals will work at the networking event by assisting attendees from 3-9 p.m. Complete the interest form
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Many nonprofits that own their real estate are evaluating their space needs as more employees work from home.
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That the pandemic did damage to museums is unquestioned, but their resilience has been remarkable.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
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MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE
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Space available for nonprofit in Fountain Square area
Rental spaces available for nonprofits in newly renovated 6,200-square-foot building at 2119 Prospect St. Available as a single space or two spaces with designated entrance and bathrooms, HVAC and common areas, with parking in an adjacent lot. Buildout to suit. Contact Harold Miller, 317-753-2034.
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Office Space in Children’s Bureau, Near Northside of Indianapolis
More than 3,000 square feet of unfinished rental space available for a nonprofit. Build-out allowance based on lease terms. Rent includes utilities, cleaning, maintenance, building security, parking and access to common areas (including restroom, kitchen, and conference space). Less than ½ mile from several bus stops. Contact Lewis Rhone at (317) 264-2700.
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CHARITABLE ADVISORS
FEATURED JOB POSTINGS
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We are seeking a President & CEO who will lead our team with passion and resolve to help survivors of interpersonal abuse. Coburn Place has been recognized as a top-tier provider of interpersonal abuse survivor services, including transitional housing. Our new leader's focus will be strengthening our teams and fortifying our operations in preparation for our next chapter of growth.
SJID is seeking an outward facing President to lead all aspects of SJID, in collaboration with our educational leaders. The President will focus on fundraising, organizational growth, and financial administration. We are looking for a strategic leader to bring a fresh perspective and business planning skills to align our teams and take our organization to the next level. The President does not need to be Catholic but must embrace the mission and uphold the Catholic identity of the organization.
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Development
Administrative/Management/Leadership
Marketing/Communications/Events
Finance
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